Croyde Bay

Croyde, England (North Devon), United Kingdom

Sports: Surfing

Best time to go: January–March, October–December

Croyde Bay is a small, sandy bay on the North Devon coast, between Baggy Point and Downend. It faces west and picks up a lot of Atlantic swell. At low tide the sandbar can produce some of the hollowest beach-break waves in England, while mid and high tide give softer peaks. Easterly winds blow offshore, and autumn to spring brings the best swell.

The low-tide waves are fast and shallow, so they suit experienced surfers, and the bay becomes crowded when it is good. There are rocks at both ends of the beach, and rip currents form on bigger days. Lifeguards patrol in summer, when the bay also fills with surf schools and holidaymakers.

Month by month at Croyde Bay

January: 15 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 13 knots, waves 2.6 m, water 9°C, air 9°C (nights 4°C), 11 sunny days, 17 rainy days
February: 14 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 12 knots, waves 2.5 m, water 9°C, air 10°C (nights 6°C), 12 sunny days, 18 rainy days
March: 14 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 12 knots, waves 2 m, water 9°C, air 11°C (nights 6°C), 19 sunny days, 17 rainy days
April: 13 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 12 knots, waves 1.7 m, water 11°C, air 13°C (nights 7°C), 24 sunny days, 15 rainy days
May: 7 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 1.2 m, water 14°C, air 16°C (nights 10°C), 26 sunny days, 13 rainy days
June: 8 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 1.4 m, water 16°C, air 18°C (nights 13°C), 25 sunny days, 15 rainy days
July: 8 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 1.3 m, water 18°C, air 20°C (nights 15°C), 25 sunny days, 15 rainy days
August: 10 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 1.4 m, water 19°C, air 20°C (nights 15°C), 25 sunny days, 17 rainy days
September: 13 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 12 knots, waves 1.7 m, water 18°C, air 18°C (nights 13°C), 21 sunny days, 19 rainy days
October: 11 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 1.9 m, water 15°C, air 16°C (nights 12°C), 18 sunny days, 20 rainy days
November: 18 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 14 knots, waves 2.5 m, water 13°C, air 12°C (nights 9°C), 13 sunny days, 20 rainy days
December: 18 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 15 knots, waves 2.6 m, water 11°C, air 10°C (nights 7°C), 9 sunny days, 18 rainy days

When is the best time to go surfing at Croyde Bay?

January–March, October–December, when the waves are biggest.

How warm is the water at Croyde Bay?

9°C to 19°C over the year: a 4/3 full suit in the warmest month, a 6/5 with hood, boots and gloves in the coolest.

How windy is Croyde Bay?

About 149 days a year with at least 2 hours of 15+ knots in the daytime, most in November.

Figures from 4 years of weather data (Open-Meteo).

Spots near Croyde Bay

More: All spots in United Kingdom · Surfing in United Kingdom

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